Vending machine



R. E. PARKS VENDING MACHINE Dec. 28, 1965 Filed Jan. 28, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENToR. REG/.s E. PAR/ 5 BY www R. E. PARKS VENDING MACHINE Dec. 28, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28, 1965 INVENToR. REG/.s E. PARK/fs @n mw mth NSL:

BY www! y? W HTTORNE R. E. PARKS VENDING MACHINE Dec. 28, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 28, 1963 INVENTOR. EEG/5 f. PH/rms BY Wm mfw/ Dec. 28, 1965 R. E. PARKS 3,225,961

VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENToR. REG/5 E. Ffm/fs WMMOW Dec. 2s, 1965 R. E. PARKS l 3,225,961

VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR. REG/.s E. FR/f5 HTTO/P/VEYJ United States Patent O 3,225,961 VENDING MACHINE Regis E. Parks, Columbia, Pa., assignor to Newspaper Enterprise Association, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 254,212 9 Claims. (Cl. 221-20) This invention relates to machines for vending newspapers and like articles and more particularly to mechanisms for dispensing the articles one at a time.

The invention has for its primary object the provision of a device of the aforesaid nature which is characterized by its structural simplicity, its inexpensive manufacturing and operating costs, the ease of assembly of its parts, the attractive forms in which the device may be made, and the particularly effective manner in which it performs its function.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a feeding mechanism for removing a single copy from a horizontally oriented stack of newspapers or like articles and dispensing it to a customer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the above type which is adapted to dispense newspapers or like articles of varying thicknesses.

Still another object is to proivde a mechanism having the above characteristics which moves the lead article upwardly before releasing it for dispensing at which time a guide means automatically moves into position to separate said article from the stack and guide it away from the stack.

Further objects of the present invention, and a number of its advantages, will be referred to in or will be evident from the following description of one embodiment of the invention and a modification of one of the parts thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a newspaper Vending machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken generally along the -line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the invention as seen generally from the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG 3;

lFIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side plan view of the invention as seen generally from the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7 to l() inclusive are fragmentary details of a portion of FIG. 3 showing certain parts of the dispensing mechanism in sequential positions of operation;

FIG. 11 is a section taken along the line 11--11 of FIG. l3;

FIG. 12 is a section taken along the -line 12-12 of FIG. l;

FIG. 13 is a section taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. l2;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail of a defiector guide as seen generally from the line 14--14 of FIG. 10 showing certain parts of the machine in a different position;

FIG. 15 is a section taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a front view of a modified lifting member;

F-IG. 17 is a front elevation of a portion of the pusher plate of FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the modified lifting member in association therewith;

FIG. 18 is a section taken along the line 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of the modified lifting member; and

FIGS. 20 to 22 inclusive are similar to FIGS. 8 to 10 respectively, but incorporating the modified lifting member.

Before the device illustrated is specifically described, it is to be understood that the invention here involved is not limited to the structural details or arrangement of parts shown since vending machines embodying the present invention may take various forms. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein employed is for the purpose of description and not of limi-tation since the scope of the present invention is denoted by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows a vending machine indicated generally by the numeral 1, said machine comprising a housing 2 having a front face 3. The upper portion of the front face 3 comprises a door 4 which is hinged along the bottom 5 and which provides access to the interior of the vending machine for loading it with newspapers or like articles to be dispensed therefrom. A portion of the door is recessed adjacent to its upper edge in such manner as to provide a backwardly tilted wall portion 6. Said tilted wall portion has a window 7 whereby a customer can readily see whether or not the machine still has newspapers therein. The tilted wall portion 6 also provides a coin slot 8 and a suitable operating instruciton sign 9. Above the window 7 there is provided a key operated lock 1t).

The lower portion of the front face 3 has a forwardly projecting handle 11 disposed adjacent to one side of the housing 2 and a coin return opening 12. The lower portion of the front face also has a horizontally disposed, elongated dispensing aperture 13 which is disposed directly beneath the window 7 and has a centrally located, downwardly directed opening 14 intersecting therewith.

FIG. 2 of the drawings shows the dispensing mechanism of this invention at 20 in full line with the housing 2 which encas'es it shown in broken lines. In a similar manner, FIG. 3 shows a side View of the dispensing mechanism 20 with portions of the housing 2 being shown in broken line. Said dispensing mechanism comprises a generally U-shaped frame 21 preferably formed of sheet metal or like material and having an upstanding rear wall 22 and parallel, forwardly projecting side walls 23 and 24. As best seen in FIG. 3, a front wall 26 is set rearwardly from the foremost edges of the side walls, Isaid front wall extending all the way across the frame 21 and connected at its lateral edges to the inner surfaces of said side walls in any suitable manner. The upper portion of the front wall 26 is rearwardly stepped as indicated at 27, and the lower end of said front wall has a horizontally disposed, rearwardly projecting reenforcing portion 28 spaced upwardly a short distance from the lower edges of the side walls 23 and 24. Forwardly of the front wall 26, the side walls 23 and 24 are upwardly stepped to substantially the level of the re-enforcing portion 28, and a paper support plate 29 projects forwardly from the bottom edge of said front wall to the forwardly disposed edges of the side walls. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper support plate 29 has an enlarged cut out 30 therein which is aligned with the downwardly directed opening 14 in the front face 3 of the vending machine. As will herein later become readily apparent, the dispensing mechanism 20 causes a dispensed newspaper to drop downwardly with its lower edge resting upon `the paper support plate 29, and the intersecting opening 14 and cut out 30 afford means for the customer to insert his hand inwardly under the bottom edge of the newspaper whereby he may easily remove it from the machine through the dispensing aperture 13.

The newspapers to be dispensed are supported by a plurality of support rods 35 which are disposed parallel with the side walls 23 and 24 and are laterally spaced from each other. The forwardly directed ends of said support rods are mounted to the step.. 27 of the front wall 26, and the rearwardly directed ends of Said rod are mounted adjacent to the rear wall 22 by means of an elongated bracket 36 which is mounted to said rear wall by any suitable means such as screws 37. The forward end of each support rod 35 has a diametrically reduced extension 35a which projects through a suitable opening in the step 27 of the front wall 26.

A pusher 40 is sli-dably mounted upon the support rod 35 and is adapted to bias a horizontally oriented stack of newspapers in a forward direction. The pusher 40 comprises a pusher plate 41 which extends laterally be* yond either of the outermost pusher bars 35 and upwardly substantially thereabove. The upper portion 41a of the pusher plate is angled rearwardly away from the dispensing `front face 3 of the machine whereby the upper portions of newspapers N stacked in front of said pusher plate will also generally tend to angle rearwardly.

A pusher plate bracket 42 is mounted to the rearwardly directed surface of the pusher plate 41 centrally of said -pusher plate. An upper portion 42a of the pusher plate bracket is angled rearwardly to conform to and lie flatwise against the angled portion 41a of the pusher plate. The upper end of the pusher plate bracket 42 has a horizontally disposed, rearwardly directed flange 43 and the lower end of said bracket has a horizontally disposed, rearwardly directed ange 44 having at the distal end thereof a downwardly directed lip 45. A laterally directed, Ushaped retainer 46 is welded to the bottom surface of the lower flange 44 with downwardly directed legs 46a thereof disposed outside of the two centermost support rods 35.

The pusher 40 is propelled forwardly behind the stack of newspapers N by a pusher rod t). Said pusher rod preferably comprises a single bar of circular cross-section which is horizontally bent intermediate the ends ythereof to provide a pair of arms 51 and 52. The distal end of the arm 51 has a vertically downwardly directe-d journal portion 51a pivotally mounted within a bearing 53 mounted inside of the sidewall 23 in any suitable manner such as by bolt and nut assemblies 54. The distal end of the arm 52 has a vertically upwardly directed, elongated, postlike portion 55 which extends loosely through laterally elongated slots 43a and 44a of the upper and lower flanges 43 and 44 respectively of the pusher plate bracket 42. At the angle between the arms 51 and 52, the pusher rod 50 is provided with a triangular ller plate 56 which gives the angled arms rigidity and also provides means for attaching thereto a coil spring 57. A forwardly directed end of the spring 57 hooks into a suitable aperture in an elongated bracket 58 which is mounted to the rearwardly directed surface of the front wall 26. As best shown in FIG. 2,k the bracket 58 extends laterally a substantial distance and has a plurality of apertures 58a the-rein whereby the forward end of the spring 57 may be selectively connected at different positions across the front wall 26 in such manner as to varyv the amount of force to be exerted by the pusher rod 50 upon the pusher 4G.

The forward end of the stack of newspapers N is held by a pair of upwardly projecting stops 66 mounted to the front wall 26 at the step portion 27 thereof. The newspapers are placed with their folded edges upon the support rods 45, and the pusher 40 resiliently holds the stack against the stops 60.

A pivot bar 62 is mounted generally in the st'ep 27 with the ends thereof journalled in the side walls 23 and 24. Said pivot bar carries a guard 63 which comprises an elongated, thin member of sheet material having a flange 64 along one of its longer `edges which is welded or otherwise suitably secured to said pivot bar. The guard 63 extends upwardly in front of the pivot bar and is angled rearwardly at two horizontally disposed, relatively shallow bends in such manner as to arch rearwardly in the direction of the lead newspaper. The upper, distal edge 65 of the guard 63 is resiliently maintained against the lead newspaper with moderate force by means of a coil spring 66 which is fastened at its rearwardly directed end to the side wall 23 and at its forwardly directed end to the adjacent lateral edge of the guard 63. The coil spring 66 is so attached as to effect a moderate resilient pressure of the edge 65 against the lead newspaper at all times.

Means for lifting the lead newspaper N upwardly above the stop 60 and the Iedge 65 of the guide 63 is provided, said means being responsive to pivoting -of the handle Il in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. A handle shaft 7 0 is journalled in a bearing '71 which is mounted to the inner surface of the side wall 24 forwardly of the front wall 26. The handle shaft 70 is horizontal and parallel with the side wall 24, one end of said shaft projecting forwardly through a suitable yopening in the front face 3 of the housing 2 and the other end projecting `rearwardly through a suitable opening in the front wall 26. The handle 11 is secured to the forward end of the lshaft 70 by suitable means such as a cotter pin 72, and the rearwardly directed 'end of said shaft carries a relatively large beveled gear 73 which is disposed rearwardly of the front wall 26.

A drive shaft 75 is disposed laterally between the side Walls 23 and 24, said drive shaft being journalled in said side walls and having end portions thereof projecting laterally beyond said side walls. A drive shaft support 74 is mounted to the front wall 26 adjacent to the beveled gear 76 to prevent bowing of the shaft 75 when torque is applied thereto by the beveled gear 73. The drive shaft 75 carries a relatively small beveled gear 76 which meshes with the larger beveled gear 73 in such manner that the yrotation of the larger gear causes rotation of the smaller gear and consequent rotation of the drive shaft 75.

The end portion of the drive shaft 75 which projects outwardly beyond the side wall 23 has rigidly mounted thereto a lift arm 77 (FIG. 3), and the end porti-on of said shaft which projects outwardly beyond the side wall 24 carries rigidly mounted thereto a lift arm 78 (FIG. 6). The lift arms 77 and 78 carrying outer bearing portions 79 and 80 respectively having pivoted thereto a pair of connecting arms 81 and 82. The bearing portions 79 and 80 are radially disposed from the shaft 75 the same distance and are disposed at the same angle relative to said shaft in such manner as to swing the connecting arms 81 and 82 upwardly in unison when the drive shaft 75 is rotated in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 6 4or in a counterclockwise direction a-s shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7-10.

The connecting arms 81 and 82 are substantially identical and have identical, obliquely directed slots 83 and 84, respectively. A lift bar 85 of preferably rectangular section is bridged across the upwardly directed ends of the connecting arms 81 and 82 and is connected at the 'ends thereof to said connecting arms by identical clips 86 (FIG. 4). The clips 86 are bolted flatwiise against thel bottom of the lift bar 85 adjacent to the ends thereof by a pair of bolt and nut assemblies S7. The distal end of eachclip S6 projects beyond the adjacent end of the lift bar 85 and has a downwardly turned hook 88. The clips'` 86 project through the oblique slots 83 and 84 respectively in such manner that the downwardly turned hooks 88 are disposed adjacent to the outer lateral surfaces of the connecting arms 81 and 82.

One end of a self-winding, steel spring tape 90 is interposed between the clip 86 and the lift bar 85 adjacent to the connecting arm 81, the other end of said tape being wrapped around a reel 91 which is mounted to the outer surface of the side wall 23. Similarly, one end of a spring tape 92 is secured beneath the clip 86 adjacent to the connecting arm 82, the other end of said tape being wrapped around a reel 93 mounted opposite the reel 91 on the inner surface of the side wall 24. The spring tapes 90 and 92 effect a moderate, resilient pull against the lift bar 85 whereby the connecting arm 81 is biased in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3 and the connecting arm 82 is biased in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the lift arm 77 has an upwardly and forwardly projecting web 94 carrying a laterally projecting lug 95 which projects outwardly across the arcuate path of the connecting arm 81. FIG. 3 shows all of the mechanism in its unactuated position before the handle 11 has been rotated, and in this position the lug 95 holds the connecting arm 81 in the position shown whereby the lift bar 85 is positioned a substantial distance forwardly of the lead newspaper N. In other words, the springs 90 and 92 are resiliently urging the connecting arm and the lift bar in a counterclockwise direction but the movement of such elements is limited to the position where the connecting arm 81 abuts the lug 95.

The lift arm 78 (FIG. 6) has a gear Isegment 96 integrally formed therewith. The gear segment 96 is in mesh with a gear segment 97 of a coin mechanism mounted within the housing 2 and generally indicated in broken outline at 100. The said mechanism is adapted to operate in a conventional manner whereby upon the insertion of the correct coin or coins into the coin slot 8 (FIG. l) of the vending machine 1, the gear segment 97 is unlocked whereby to allow rotation of the gear segment 96 and therefore freeing the drive shaft 75 and allowing movement thereof by pivoting of the handle 11. The coin mechanism 100 also operates to re-lock the gear segment 97 after each actuation of the handle 11 whereby only one newspaper is dispensed with each actuation of said handle.

The lift bar 85 has mounted thereto a lift member 102 and a plurality of lift pins 105 projecting generally rearwardly from the generally rearwardly directed face of said lift bar. One of the lift p-ins is detailed in FIG. 5 in association with said lift member and it will be understood that all of said lift pins conform to the description of this one.

The lift member 102 is an elongated, resilient member made of rubber or a similar material and is disposed lengthwise of the lift bar 85. Said lift member has a flat base 103, bonded or otherwise suitably secured to said lift bar, and a plurality of generally horizontally disposed, rearwardly -projecting strips 104. The strips are preferably integrally formed with the base 103 and, in the form shown, are triangular in section and have relatively sharp edges 10461.

Each lift pin 105 has a threaded shank 106 and a rearwardly projecting, substantially sharp point 107. The opposite end of the shank 106 has a diametric slot 108 therein whereby said pins may be adjustably rotated with a suitable tool such as a conventional screwdriver. Each shank is thread fitted through an aperture 109 in the lift bar 85 and is provided with a lock nut 110 adjacent to the forwardly facing surface of the lift bar. The lift pins 105 project rearwardly through suitable apertures 111 in the lift member 102 with the points 107 disposed rearwardly a slight distance beyond the edges 104g.

The lowerrnost strip 104 of the lift member 102 projects rearwardly beyond the points 107 of the lift pins 105 when the lift bar 85 is in the fully retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this position, said lift bar is tilted away from the lead newspaper N whereby said lowerrnost strip is disposed beyond the lift pins. The lowerrnost strip 104 prevents a newspaper N, which is being removed from the vending machine 1, from accidentally 6 being impaled by one or more of the lift pins by assuring that said newspaper will be held away from all of the points 107.

The gear segment 97, which is associated with the coin mechanism 100, is normally biased to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 by any suitable means (not shown). When the handle 11 is actuated and the drive shaft 75 is rotated whereby the gear segment 96 causes rotation.

of the gear segment 97, upon release of said handle the gear segment 97 then `drives the gear segment 96 in such manner as to return it to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. The mechanism connected with the gear segment 97 is also preferably of the type which prevents said gear segment from returning to the normal position illustrated until after a complete operation or a complete actuation of the handle 11. In other words, once the handle 11 and, therefore, the gear segment 96 have been started through their arcuate movements for the purpose of disensing a newspaper, the handle and the associated gear segment 96 cannot be returned to the normal, unactuated position until after said handle has been rotated to its fullest extent at which time the gear segment 97 is released to rotate the gear segment 96 back to its normal position. The mechanism just described is of a conventional type (not herein illustrated) and is associated with the coin mechanism 100.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the upright, postlike portion 55 of the pusher rod 50 extends upwardly above the upper flange 43 a substantial distance and is provided at the upper end thereof with an elongated retainer pin 47. The retainer pin 47 projects through a suitable diametric aperture adjacent to the upper end of the portion 55 and is angled in a horizontal plane relative to the elongated slot 43 in such manner that straight upward movement of the pusher 40 causes said retainer pin to strike the upper surface of the upper flange 43 thereby preventing removal of said pusher. However, if it is desired to remove the pusher from the postlike portion 55, this can be readily done by lifting it upwardly until the legs 46a of the U-shaped retainer 46 clear the support rods 35 at which time the said pusher may be pivoted about the portion 55 to bring the elongated slot 43a into alignment with the retainer pin 47. Further upward movement of the pusher 40 will then effect removal since the retainer pin will pass readily through the elongated slots 43a and 44a.

It will be noted that the pusher 40 can normally be raised relative to the post portion 55 a substantial distance before striking the retainer pin 47. The purpose of this is to allow the downwardly directed lip 45 of the lower flange 44 to be lifted upwardly to a point where it can be hooked over the central portion of the upwardly directed bracket 36. During adjustment, repair, inspection or loading of the machine, it may be desirable to have the pusher 40 positioned llxedly adjacent to the rear wall 22 of the frame 21. This is done by simply raising the pusher, moving it backwardly and slipping the lip 45 behind the bracket 36. The pusher will then stay in that position as fragmentarily shown in dot-dash line in FIG. 3.

The housing Z has a flat base having a downwardly turned flange 121 at the edges thereof. As best shown in FIG. 2, the frame 21 has a forwardly, right angularly projecting flange 22a at the bottom of the `rear wall 22 and laterally inwardly, right angularly disposed flanges 23a and 24a at the bottom edges of the side walls 23 and 24 respectively. As shown in FIG. 1l, the flange 22a does not extend completely across the rear wall 22, and the corners of said rear wall have clearance openings 31 at the bottom edge of the wall, said clearance openings being `aligned with the flanges 23a and 24a.

A pair of guides 122 are securely mounted upon the base 120 in such manner as to slidably embrace portions of the flanges 23a and 24a. The guides 122 comprise generally elongated, sheet metal members disposed parallel with the flanges 23a and 24a closely adjacent thereto and having upwardly stepped portions 123 which project outwardly over said flanges. When the front face 3 of the housing 2 is removed (in a manner herein later fully described), the frame 21 is readily slidable into or out of the housing with the flanges 23a and 24a of the side walls slidably engaging under the upwardly stepped portions 123 of the `guides 122. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 21 is normally disposed within the housing 2 with the rear wall 22 thereof disposed all the way back against a back wall 124 of the housing.

Once the frame is slidably disposed within the housing, it is retained against forward sliding movement by a retainer 125 which is stepped upwardly over the flange 22a at 126 and is secured to the base 120 by a single bolt 127. A nut 12S is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the bottom of the base 120 into which the bolt 127 is thread fitted. Therefore, by the removal of a single bolt 127, the dispensing mechanism 20 may be slidably removed in a forward direction from the housing 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, the front face 3 has a right angularly bent, rearwardly directed flange 130 at either lateral edge thereof. The housing 2 has side walls 117 so formed at their forward edges to provide a front panel 118 `and a rearwardly projecting flange 119, each said flange having an inwardly turned lip 119e. In its normal assembled position, the lianges 130 of the front face 3 are disposed iiatwise against the flanges 119 at the front panel 118 with rthe rearwardly directed edges of said anges 130 closely adjacent to the inwardly turned lips 11901 (FIG. 13).

The anges 119 each have riveted thereto a pair of pins 131 projecting inwardly toward the front face 3 and having, at their inner ends, enlarged heads 132. The flanges 130 have right angled slots 133 therein which open at the rearwardly directed edges of said anges and extend forwardly and upwardly. When the front face 3 is in its normal assembled position in the housing 2, the pins 131 are disposed in the upper ends of the slots 133 and the door 4 is closed upwardly .in line with said face and secured by means of the key operated lock 10. Said lock carries a pivotable latch member 10a which is `disposed behind and against an inwardly turned flange 116:1 of a top wall 116 of the housing when the door is locked.

Removal of the front face 3 is effected by first unlocking the door 4 and pivoting it outwardly and downwardly to the dotted line position of FIG. 12. This enables the front face 3 to be moved upwardly relative to the pins 131 whereby to dispose the said pins in the bottoms of the vertical portions of the angled slots 133. The front face may then be moved forwardly whereby the pins pass easily through the horizontal portions of said angled slots. Mounting of the front face 3 is accomplished by reversing the above referred to maneuver; the pins 131 are caused to enter the horizontal portions of the slots 133, the face is moved rearwardly to bring the pins into alignment with the Vertical portions of said slots, and the face is then lowered whereby to dispose said pins in the upper ends of the vertical portions of said slots. The door 4 may then be closed to the full line position of FIG. 5 and locked by means of the key operated lock 10. With the door closed, it will become readily apparent that upward movement of the front face 3 is impossible because the upper edge of the door abuts the flange 116a. Therefore, the pins 131 are rigidly held in the upper ends of the vertical portion of the slots 133, and the front face 3 cannot be moved forwardly.

FIG. shows a sectional detail of the construction lof the front face 3 in the area of the dispensing aperture 13. The upper and lower edges of said dispensing aperture have inwardly, acutely angled lips 135 and 136 respectively. The lower lip 136 is langled rearwardly and downwardly into abutment with the upper surface of the paper support plate 29 when the front face 3 is in the assembled position.

The upper edge of said front face has a right angularly bent, rearwardly directed iiange 137 to which the hinge 5 of the door 4 is mounted. The hinge is mounted upon the upper surface of the flange 137, and the lower surface thereof carries a baffle 13S mounted to said ange in any suitable manner such as by rivets 139. The baffle 138 is disposed generally fiatwise against the inner Surface of the front face 3 and has a rearwardly directed ange 140 which fits up tightly against the bottom of the ange 137 of said face. The baffle 138 extends laterally generally the length of the dispensing aperture 13 and has a lower, rearwardly angled deflector portion 141 which projects downwardly to substantially the level of the upper edge of the dispensing aperture 13. The lower edge of the deflector portion has an inverted, V-shaped bend 142 therein which extends parallel with the dispensing aperture 13 and one-half of which hooks over the upper lip 135 of said dispensing aperture.

The baffle 138 serves two purposes: it inhibits the removal of a newspaper from the machine without correct operation of the handle, and it also prevents a properly dispensed newspaper from being accidentally dropped out through the dispensing aperture before the customer has reached for the paper.

The baffle 138 inhibits the unauthorized removal of a newspaper from the machine by the position of the lower edge of the deflector portion 141 which increases the angle at which a probe or tool would have to be inserted into the dispensing aperture 13 and by providing generally less room to maneuver such probe or tool within the housing adjacent to the newspapers. Said baie aids in the correct dispensing of the papers by the position of the detiector portion which detlects a downcoming newspaper away from said dispensing opening and insures that it drops downwardly behind the lower lip 136. Without the deflector portion 141, an occasional newspaper dropping from in front of the horizontally oriented stack might hit the lower edge of the dispensing aperture and bounce outwardly onto the oor and become dirty or disarranged.

The operation of the vending machine 1 will be readily understood by reference to FIGS. 3 and 7-10. As hereinbefore described, rotation of the handle 11 in a clockwise direction (FIG. 1) rotates the beveled gears 73 and 76 which rotate the drive shaft 75 which in turn pivots the lift arms 77 and 78. The lift bar is thus caused to move arcuately rearwardly and upwardly .in such manner as to impale the lead newspaper N and lift it above the stops 60.

The normal or unactuated position of the lift arms, connecting arms 81 and 82, and the lift bar 85 is shown in FIG. 3. As rotation of the handle 11 is commenced, the lift arms 77 and 78 are pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 7 in such manner as to pivot the lift bar 85 toward the lead newspaper N. This causes the points 107 of the lift pins 105 to pierce the lead newspaper to the depth permitted by the strips 104 just above the guide 63. As shown in FIG. 8, continued rotation of the handle and the consequent pivoting of the lift arms causes the lift bar 85 and its vassociated lift member and pins to move upwardly and thereby raise the impaled lead newspaper above the stops 60. The combined friction of the strips 104 against the newspaper and the engagement thereof by the pins 105 cause said newspaper to be carried upwardly with the lift bar 85. The lift member 102 and the lift pins 105 .are held against the lead newspaper by the spring tapes and 92, and the edge 65 of the guide 63 is held against said lead newspaper by the coil spring 66. However, the pressure exerted by the pusher 40 is sufficient to overcome the pressure of both the spring tapes 90 and 92 and the coil spring 66 in such manner that when the lead newspaper N is raised above the stops 60, the Whole horizontally oriented stack of newspapers moves forwardly to the point where the number two newspaper is now against the stops 60 and the lead newspaper is positioned generally in front of said stops but still behind the guide 63.

Still further rotation of the handle continues to ralse the lift bar 85 thereby continuing the upward movement of the lead newspaper N until it is disposed yabove the upper edge 65 of the guide 63 (FIG. 9). Said guide immediately snaps under the lead newspaper due to the pull of the spring 66 whereby the edge 65 abuts the second newspaper which is now firmly pressing against the stops 60 The maximum pivoting action of the lift arms 77 and 78 is indicated in FIG. 10. At this point, the axis of the drive shaft 75, the axes of the outer bearing portions 79 and 80 of the lift arms, and the lift bar 85 are in substantial alignment whereby further lifting of the lead newspaper N is not possible. The straightening out of the lift arms and their associated connecting arms 81 and 82 has the effect of tilting the lift pins 105 away from the lead newspaper N and leaving only the lowerrnost strip 104 in contact therewith. In the relative positions of the parts as shown in FIG. 10, said lowermost strip is actually disposed rearwardly further than the points 107 of the lift pins. It will be readily seen from the above that the inal portion of arcuate movement of the handle pivots the lift pins away from the lead newspaper in such manner that the lift pins are pulled out of said newspaper. Because the pressure exerted against the lead newspaper by the spring tapes 90 and 92 is very moderate and the lowermost Strip along is in contact therewith, the lead newspaper then falls downwardly due to its own weight, sliding between the second newspaper and said lowermost blade. Since the edge 65 of the guide 63 is now held against the second newspaper, the folded lower edge of the lead newspaper slides past said upper edge and is diverted by the guide 63 downwardly toward the paper support plate 29 and adjacent to the dispensing aperture 13.

If the handle 11 is turned or struck quickly in such manner as to effect the above operation with great suddenness, there is a possibility that the lift bar 85 will move upwardly faster than it will move rearwardly toward the lead newspaper N. As shown in FIG. 3, the normal or at rest position of the connecting arms 81 and 82 is that of being tilted slightly away from the lead newspaper. Because the tension of the spring tapes 90 and 92 is very moderate, sudden pivoting of the lift arms 77 and 78 can cause said connecting arms to be propelled upwardly and forwardly faster than said springs can bias said lift arms rearwardly, If this happens, the left member 102 and the pins 105 will not engage the lead newspaper until after the lift bar 85 has traveled upwardly a substantial distance. Thus the lead newspaper may not be lifted sutiicienty to clear both the stops 60 and the guide 63.

To assure that the lift bar 85 will move quickly toward the lead newspaper N when the handle 11 is turned suddenly, there are provided a pair of deliector guides 150 as shown in FIGS. 10, 14 and l5. Said deiiector guides are mounted to the inside surface of the front face portion 3 in alignment with the connecting arms 81 and 82 respectively. Each deilector guide is a curved strip of sheet metal welded or otherwise secured to said front face portion and curved rearwardly and upwardly over an adjacent connecting arm in the normal or at rest position of said arm. In normal operation of the handle 11, the connecting arms are pivoted rearwardly out from under the deector guides and toward the lead newspaper N; but if said arms are forced upwardly with great suddenness, they strike the deflector guides and are deiiected sharply in a rearward direction whereby they are immediately pivoted toward the lead newspaper. This causes the lift member 102 and the lift pins 105 to contact the lead newspaper at the proper position (FIG. 7) whereby the dispensing operation is successfully completed.

FIGS. 16-22 illustrate the vending machine of this invention wherein there is provided a modified, alternatively usable lift bar 160. Said lift bar is mounted to the connecting arms 81 and 82 in identically the same manner as the lift bar 85, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The lift bar 160 is an elongated member of rectangular section having mounted thereto a plurality of lift pins 161 which project generally rearwardly from the generally rearwardly directed face of said lift bar. One of the lift pins is detailed in FIG. 19, and it will be understood that all of said lift pins conform to the description of this one.

Each lift pin 161 has a threaded shank 162 and a generally rearwardly projecting, substantially sharp point 163. The opposite end .of the shank 162 has a diametric slot 164 therein whereby said pin may be adjustably rotated with a suitable tool such as `a conventional screwdriver. Each shank is thread fitted through an aperture 165 in the lift bar 160 and is provided with a lock nut 166 adjacent to the rearwardly facing surface of the lift bar.

At least some of the lift pins 161 have mounted therewith paper guards 167. Said paper guards may be made of flat ysheet material such as a strip of metal or plastic. Each said guard comprises a strip of material folded upon itself in such manner as to provide a flat mounting portion 168 and a laterally projecting loop portion 169. The mounting portion 168 is suitably apertured whereby it is telescoped over the threaded shank 162 and is interposed between the lock nut 166 and the lift bar 160. The loop portion 169 projects generally downwardly and rearwardly from the lift bar and is of such size that when said lift bar is in the fully retracted position illustrated in FIG. 3, said loop portion projects rearwardly beyond the `adjacent point 107 and prevents a newspaper N, which is being removed fnom the Vending machine 1, from accidentally being impaled by one or more of the lift pins 161. All of said lift pins do not need to carry the paper guards 167, but a suiicient number should be provided across the lift bar 160 to assure that the adjacent newspaper will be held away from all of the points 163.

FIGS. 20-22 show different positions of the connecting arms 81 and S2, in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 8-10, to show the operation of the modified lift bar 160. Initial rotation of the handle 11 pivots the lift bar 160 toward the lead newspaper N in such manner as to cause the points 163 to pierce said lead newspaper. As shown in FIG. 20, continued rotation of the handle and the consequent pivoting of the lift arms causes the lift bar 160 and its associated pins to move upwardly and thereby raise the impaled lead newspaper above the stops 60. The lift pins 161 are, of course, held against the lead newspaper by the spring tapes and 92 and the edge 65 of the guide 63 is held against said lead newspaper by the coil spring 66. As hereinbefore described, pressure exerted by the pusher 40 overcomes the pressure of both the spring tapes 90 and 92 and the coil spring 66 in such manner that when the lead newspaper N is raised above the stops 60, the whole horizontally oriented stack of newspapers moves forwardly to the point where the number two newspaper is held against the stop 60 and the lead newspaper is positioned generally in front of said stop but still behind the guide 63.

Still further rotation of the handle continues to raise the lift bar thereby continuing the upward movement of the lead newspaper N until it is disposed above the upper edge 65 of the guide 63 (FIG. 2l). Said guide immediately snaps under the lead newspaper due to the pull of the spring 66 whereby the edge abuts the second newspaper which is now firmly pressing against the stops 60.

The maximum pivoting action of the lift arms 77 and 78 is indicated in FIG. 22. At this point, further lifting of the lead newspaper is not possible. The straightened out position of the lift arms and their associated connecting arms 81 and 82 has the effect of tilting the lift pins 161 away from the lead newspaper N while at the same time bringing the loop portions 169 of the paper guards 167 toward and into contact with said lead newspaper. In the relative positions of the parts as shown in FIG. 22, the loop portions of the paper guards are actually disposed rearwardly further than the points 163 of the lift pins. It will be readily seen from the above that the final portion of arcuate movement of the handle brings the paper guards into Contact with the lead newspaper while simultaneously pivoting the lift pins away from the lead newspaper in such manner that said lift pins are pulled out of said newspaper. Because the pressure exerted agains the lead newspaper by the spring tapes 90 and 92 is very moderate and the paper guards afford very little frictional resistance, the lead newspaper then falls downwardly due to its own weight, sliding between the second newspaper and said paper guards. Because the edge 65 of the guide 63 is now held against the second newspaper, the folded lower edge of the lead newspaper slides past said upper edge and is diverted by the guide 63 downwardly toward the paper support plate 29 and adjacent to the dispensing aperture 13.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 17 and 18, the pusher plate 41 is provided with a plurality of vertically directed, elongated slots 48 which are spaced across the face of said pusher plate in such manner as to be directly in line with the lift pins 161 of the lift bar 160. If a customer inadvertently operates the vending machine after it is empty and no newspapers are disposed in front of the pusher plate 41, the lift pins 161 and the paper guards 167 will simply enter the respective slots 48 instead of striking the surfaces of the pusher plate 41. This protects the points 163 of the lift pins against being dulled or broken by striking the pusher plate, and it protects said pusher plate against being scratched and defaced by the lift pins when the machine is empty.

As previously disclosed, the coin mechanism prevents the handle 11 from returning to its normal position (FIG. 1) after actuation thereof unless said handle has been fully actuated in the clockwise direction. The same mechanism is also adapted to prevent a second actuation of the handle 11 in a clockwise direction unless said handle has completely returned to its normal position. If the handle 11 is actuated when the machine is empty and the lift pins 161 and the paper guards 167 enter the slots 48, during return movement of said handle the loop portions 169 of said paper guards will hook over or catch on the bottom edges of the slots 48 thereby preventing the handle and its associated mechanism from returning to the position shown in FIG. 3. Since the handle has not returned to its unactuated position, it cannot again be moved in the actuated direction or clockwise. Under these circumstances, the handle is stopped at an intermediate position whereby it cannot be turned in a clockwise direction to raise the lift pins and paper guards out of the bottoms of the slots 48 and wherein said handle is unable to return to its normal, unactuated position. Further operation of the vending machine is therefore stopped, and the coin mechanism will simply return any additional coins introduced into the coin slot 8.

As hereinbefore noted, in both forms of the lift bar, 85 and 160, the lift pins 105 and 161 are longitudinally adjustable. Such adjustment is provided for the purpose of varying the distance which the points 107 or 163 project beyond either the edges 104a of the blades 104 or the peripheries of the loops 169.

In use of the lift bar 85, a normal adjustment of the lift pins 105 disposes the points 107 slightly beyond the edges 104a of the strips. The strips 104 limit the penetration of the points 107, and it has been found that such limited penetration combined with the friction of the blades is well suited for dispensing small or moderately sized newspapers and magazines. However, when the article to be dispensed is thicker and heavier, the pins 105 can be readily adjusted to dispose the points 107 further beyond the edges 104a whereby a greater penetration is effected for lifting a heavier load. If the article to be dispensed is extremely thin and light, the points can be retracted fully behind the edges 104e whereby the lifting force is applied only through the friction of the strips 104, no penetration of the points taking place.

The lift pins 161 of the lift bar 160 are adjustable in the same manner and for the same purpose as the lift pins of the lift bar 85, Because the loop portions 169 of the paper guards 167 afford very little friction against the article to be dispensed, the lifting is accomplished by means of the lift pins 161 exclusively. The amount of adjustment of the points 163 beyond the loop portions 169 is determined by the degree of penetration desired which in turn is determined by the thickness and Weight of the newspaper or other article to be dispensed.

It will be understood that many changes in the details of this invention as herein described and illustrated may be made without, however, departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vending machine for such articles as papers, magazines, and the like: support means supporting a horizontally oriented stack of articles in use thereof; pusher means urging the stack along said support means toward one end thereof; stop means mounted adjacent said one end of said support means and abutting the lower edge portion of the lead article; a guide strip mounted in front of said stop means having an upper edge disposed above said stop means and resiliently biased against the front surface of the lead article; lift means normally disposed forwardly of said guide strip; said lift means comprising a horizontally mounted bar provided with a plurality of pins spaced therealong;"

pivoting means connected to said lift means; said pivoting `means being pivotable in one direction to move the pins of said lift means into engagement with the lead article and thereafter move upwardly to raise the article above said stop means and said guide strip; said pivoting means being pivotable in the opposite direction to move said lift means back to its normal position away from the lead article; said pusher means moving the stack forwardly when the lead article moves above said stop means whereby the second article abuts said stop means and the lead article is disposed forwardly of said stop means; and said upper edge of said guide strip moving against the front surface of the second article when the lead article is moved above said guide strip whereby, upon release of the lead article by said lift means, the lead article falls downwardly in front of said guide strip and said stop means.

2. In a vending machine for such articles as papers, magazines, and the like: support means supporting a horizontally oriented stack of articles in use thereof; pusher means urging the stack along said support means toward one end thereof; stop means mounted adjacent said one end of said support means and abutting the lower edge portions of the lead article; a guide strip pivotally mounted on transverse, horizontal axis in front of said stop means and having an upper edge disposed above said stop means; spring means urging said upper edge against the front surface of the lead article; lift means normally disposed forwardly of said guide strip; said lift means comprising a horizontally mounted bar provided with a plurality of pins spaced therealong; pivoting means connected to said lift means; said pivoting means pivotable in one direction to move the pins of said lift means into engagement with the lead article and thereafter move upwardly to raise the article above said stop means and the upper edge of said guide strip; said pivoting means being pivotable in the opposite direction to move said lift means back to its normal position away from the lead article; said pusher means moving the stack forwardly when the lead article moves above said stop means whereby the second article abuts said stop means and the lead article is disposed forwardly of said stop means; and said guide strip moving against the front surface of the second article when the lead article is moved above said guide strip whereby upon 13 release of the lead article by said lift means, the lead article falls downwardly in front of said guide strip and said stop means.,

3. A vending machine for such articles as papers, magazines, and the like, said vending machine comprising a housing having a front face portion; means defining a dispensing aperture in said face portion; dispensing mechanism mounted within said housing; said mechanism having support means for supporting a horizontally oriented stack of articles in use thereof; pusher means urging the stack in the direction of said face portion; stop means mounted adjacent said face portion and abutting the lower edge portion of the lead article; a horizontally disposed guide strip mounted in front of and arched backwardly over said stop means and having an upper edge resiliently urged against the front surface of the lead article; a pin-'carrying lift bar for elevating the lead article above said stop means and said guide strip and releasing the lead article in such elevated position; said pusher means having spring means urging the stack forwardly sufficiently to cause the second article to abut said stop means when the lead article is raised thereby disposing the lead article forwardly of said stop means and said upper edge of said guide strip; said guide strip having a guiding surface so disposed as to direct the released lead article past said stop means and generally toward said dispensing aperture.

4. A vending machine for such articles as papers, magazines and the like having interchangeable dispensing mechanism, said machine comprising a housing having a base and a removable front face; a dispensing mechanism slidably mounted upon said base behind said front face; means defining a dispensing aperture adjacent the lower edge of said front face; said front face having door means hingedly mounted to its upper edge and swingable upwardly in line with said front face to close the front of said housing; said mechanism having means for urging a horizontally oriented stack of articles in the direction of said aperture and means for discharging the articles one at a time to a position adjacent said aperture; guide means mounted on said base; said mechanism having means cooperative with and slidably engaging said guide means whereby said mechanism is slidable forwardly out of said housing, when said front face is removed by a like mechanism, said front face having side flanges projecting inwardly of said housing; means deiining right angled slots in said anges having horizontal slot portions opening at the` vedges of said anges and vertically upwardly directed slot portions intersecting said horizontal slot portions; pin means carried by said housing and disposed in the upper ends of said vertical .slot portions when said front face is assembled to said housing; said door means, when closed, so engaging said housing as to prevent upward movement of said front face; said front face removable from said housing when said door is open by lifting said front face to dispose said pins in the bottoms of said vertical slot portions and subsequently moving said front face forwardly whereby said pins pass through said horizontal slot portions.

5. In a vending machine for such articles as papers, magazines, and the like: support means supporting a horizontally oriented stack of articles in use thereof; a resiliently urged pusher plate urging the stack toward one end of said support means; stop means mounted adjacent said one end and abutting the lead article; a lift bar normally disposed forwardly of said stop means; pivoting means connected to said lift bar moving said bar into contact with said lead article and, thereafter, upwardly to raise said lead article above said stop means, when pivoted in one direction; said pivoting means returning said lift bar to its normal position away from the lead article when pivoted in the opposite direction; pin means carried by said lift bar and impaling said lead article during the lifting thereof; means defining vertical slots in said pusher plate disposed in alignment with said pin means whereby said pin means enter said slots when said lift bar is actuated after all articles have been dispensed to prevent damage to said pin means; and means carried by said lift bar adjacent said pin means engaging bottom edges of said slots during the return movement of said lift bar to its normal position and preventing further return movement thereof when said machine has no articles therein.

6. In a vending machine for such articles as papers, magazines, and the like: a support means supporting a horizontally oriented stack of articles in use thereof; a resiliently urged pusher urging the stack toward one end of said support means; stop means mounted adjacent said one end and abutting the lead article; a lift bar for engaging the lead article normally disposed forwardly of said stop means away from said lead article; pivoting means connected to said lift bar; pin means carried by said lift bar and impaling the lead article when said lift bar engages the lead article; said lift bar having guard means attached thereto projecting in the same general direction as said pin means and adapted to contact the lead article when said lift bar is tilted in one direction and to move away from the lead article when said lift bar is tilted in the opposite direction; .said pivoting means including means for moving said lift bar into engagement with the lead article and upwardly to lift the lead article above said stop means while concurrently progressively tilting said lift bar in said one direction and causing said guard means to contact the lead article and serve as a fulcrum for retracting said pin means therefrom thereby releasing the lead article.

7. In a vending machine for such articles as papers, magazines, and the like: a support means supporting a horizontally oriented stack of articles in use thereof; a resiliently urged pusher urging the stack toward one end of said support means; stop means mounted adjacent said one end and abutting the lead article; a lift bar for engaging the lead article normally disposed forwardly of said stop means away from said lead article; pivoting means connected to said lift bar; resilient strip means carried by said lift bar and making edgewise contact with the lead article when said lift bar engages the lead article; pin means carried by said lift bar and extending beyond said strip means and impaling the lead article when said lift bar engages the lead article; said pivoting means including means for moving said lift bar into engagement with the lead article and upwardly to lift the lead article, by the combined friction of said strip means and the engagement of said pin means, above said stop means; said pivoting means including means for moving said lift bar away from the lifted article to release it.

8. In a vending machine as set forth in claim 7: said strip means comprising a plurality of horizontally disposed strips of resilient material adapted to contact the lead article edgewise; at least one of said strips being disposed below said pin means; said pin means projecting outwardly beyond said strips; said pivoting means including means progressively tilting said lift bar, during the lifting movement thereof, whereby said strip is brought toward and said pin means is moved away from the lead article to remove said pin means from the lead article at the completion of the lifting movement.

9. In a vending machine for such articles as newspapers, magazines and the like wherein said articles are sequentially located in dispensing position: pivoted bar means for elevating the lead article to dispensing position in eifecting the discharge of the article from the machine; said bar means being provided with a plurality of aligned, laterally spaced article penetrating pins which are axially adjustable relative to said bar means so that they may extend therefrom any desired distances, with consequent limitation of the extent to which they penetrate said article; means for tilting said bar means generally about its longitudinal axis in its elevated position; and said bar means also being provided along a substantial portion of its length with parallel strip means of resilient charac- 1 5 ter movable against the lead articles and causing the Withdrawal of said pins of said bar means from the article being elevated when said article reaches a predetermined elevation and said bar means is tilted.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,432,415 12/1947 Hatcher et al 221-213 X 2,858,047 10/1958 Williams et al. 221--213 1 6 2,926,814 3/1960 Utiger 221-213 2,992,756 7/1961 Ray 221-213 FOREIGN PATENTS 41,291 12/ 1929 Denmark.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

EVERE'IT W. KIRBY, Examiner. 

9. IN A VENDING MACHINE FOR SUCH ARTICLES AS NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND THE LIKE WHEREIN SAID ARTICLES ARE SEQUENTIALLY LOCATED IN DISPENSING POSITION: PIVOTED BAR MEANS FOR ELEVATING THE LEAD ARTICLE TO DISPENSING POSITION IN EFFECTING THE DISCHARGE OF THE ARTICLE FROM THE MACHINE; SAID BAR MEANS BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF ALIGNED, LATERALLY SPACED ARTICLE PENETRATING PINS WHICH ARE AXIALLY ADJUSTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID BAR MEANS SO THAT THEY MAY EXTEND THEREFROM ANY DESIRED DISTANCES, WITH CONSEQUENT LIMITATION OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY PENETRATE SAID ARTICLE; MEANS FOR TILTING SAID BAR MEANS GENERALLY ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS IN ITS ELEVATED POSITION; AND SAID BAR MEANS ALSO BEING PROVIDED ALONG A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF ITS LENGTH WITH PARALLEL STRIP MEANS OF RESILIENT CHARACTER MOVABLE AGAINST THE LEAD ARTICLES AND CAUSING THE WITHDRAWAL OF SAID PINS OF SAID BAR MEANS FROM THE ARTICLE BEING ELEVATED WHEN SAID ARTICLE REACHES A PREDETERMINED ELEVATION AND SAID BAR MEANS IS TILTED. 